Wellesley is abuzz this weekend about news that Larry Ng, who owned a pair of gas stations/garages across from each other on Rte. 9 in Wellesley Hills, has retired from the business.
While there is reportedly more to this story, an employee at one of the stations told Mrs. Swellesley that Ng took early retirement for health reasons, as he plans to get surgery on his legs that will involve a long recovery. We’ve been unable to get more information about Ng’s whereabouts at this point.
While I confess that I never took my car to Ng (I always heard great things about him, but the business just wasn’t on my circuit), I did happen to meet the Honda-loving mechanic at his station across from the fire station for the first time a couple of weeks ago on a Sunday when the shop was closed and we each just happened to be stopped there.
Ng has been recognized for his service over the years, including with a 2005 Community Appreciation Award during Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend. According to the Better Business Bureau, Larry Ng’s Auto Repair has been operating since the late 1980s.
An outpouring of tributes for Ng has flooded online forums, including our Facebook page:
- “Larry Ng is an extraordinary man. He is a very knowledgeable and expetienced mechanic especially on hondas and foreign cars. And a great guy to know and work for.
Hes very polite fair and trustful.
A man of his word.
He created a precision run business with a zest for customer service.” - “Larry your instincts for car repair go beyond talent and experience. You have a gift. Best of luck in retirement, you certainly earned it.”
- “Seriously the end of an era. He will be missed!”
More than your excellence in auto knowledge is the quality human being you are. You have our deep respect and sincere gratitude. Our very best wishes to you. Bill, Ann & Jess
Larry I can’t believe you are retiring!! We will miss you and your constant upbeat attitude! Our cars , our grand children’s cars and soon to be great grand children’s cars will miss you also. Bless you and we pray for a great outcome when surgery is completed. our very best. “Mr and Mrs. commissioner” Liz and Owen Dugan and family
I am devastated! Who is taking it over? Hopefully someone Larry has hand picked. He will be missed greatly!
I’m like so many former customers who, over the decades, grew to appreciate Larry’s spot on Rt. 9 .It might take just a few minutes in his office/waiting area to pick up on Larry’s gift for orchestrating a well oiled operation. From his command post at the desk, he drew on keen diagnostic abilities and his skilled staff to resolve
a mechanical problem in record time. Bystanders meanwhile, were often treated to his humorous running commentary and witty phone monologues.
Larry oversaw the health of my two successive stick shift Hondas, giving me the confidence to zoom well past a hundred thousand miles on each.
As he moves ahead with surgery and the prospect of good health, I suspect that Larry’s ingenuity and energy will lead him to an interesting next chapter. It should be a good read.
It had to happen, Larry had to retire, but what a sad, sad day for all of us in Wellesley who have relied on him. Larry, if you need anything, call me. Now you can rely on me the way I relied on you with my cars for so many years.
The Teacher
I found about Larry Ng when I was teaching in Wellesley at Hunnewell School. All the teachers took their cars to him and he would even give them rides back to school. For years I was “teacher Patty” when I’d come in with my car. Sitting in his office was entertainment for sure. I told him he could compete with the “Click and Clack” show on NPR. He was so thorough in his care for my many cars over the past 20+ years and he always responded to an emergency with the comment, “Bring it right in, I’ll take care of you.” That was Larry…a kind, sweet, very hardworking man whom I wish all the best with his health and retirement. We will miss you so much! Patty and Larry Lawrence
I am still stunned. I just can’t imagine not seeing Larry perched on the chair at the station, overseeing 20 things at once, writing up your bill, while ordering parts on the phone. Our family trusted all our vehicles to Larry for as long as I can remember. He was always honest and fast and made sure you did not waste your money, if your car was on its last legs. We wish Larry all the best and we will miss him.
WE have had to replace our Primary Care Doctor,
WE have had to replace our Dentist.
We have had to replace deceased friends.
We have had to move to a smaller house.
There is NO replacement for Larry Ng.
He is a man of integrity, intelligence and humor, a master of his craft, He served us, our sibling, our children and since this spring(2017) a grandchild.
Larry, may your Surgeon possess ALL the qualities which are attributed to you so that the outcome of your treatment is equally
successful as your work was and without complications.
That was beautifully said. We have been through all the same replacements: doctor, dentist etc, but this one is by far the hardest. I cannot even imagine having someone other than Larry Ng being in charge of the health of our vehicles.
Marianne and David Laffitte
I guarantee that even if Larry is retiring, (which I hope is true but refuse to believe) he will be watching to make certain they open at 7:00 am. If he knows you well enough he calls you Uncle which means he treats you like family. Regulars know that if your car is costing you too much to maintain he will tell you to get rid of it and buy a Honda. We love you Larry and will miss you. Thanks for the memories!
Larry and his crew were the best in town. Helped my family out many times, emergency tire repairs along with mechanical malfunctions. Honesty, hard working and we’ll get the job done attitude was his claim to fame. Wishing him a successful operation and a speedy recovery. A well deserved rest, for sure!
He bailed us out on short notice so many times! And those guys were an inspiration in terms of how hard they worked. I made sure my kids observed it and sometimes took treats over with us. I wish we could do something for the family now to honor him.
25 years of taking care of my family’s cars. As a businessman, Larry has that rare combination of talent, hard work, fairness and humor that made him a success and a ‘GREAT person to do business with. Wishing you only the best in your retirement Larry. It’s been a pleasure.
Larry is the greatest. That’s all there is to say. I wish him a speedy recovery.
24 years, 12 cars. Endless oil changes, brakes, flat tires. We’ll miss you!